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TIFF 2014 – Day #4

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The-Theory-Of-Everything-PosterSunday, September 7, 2014

Hello Again.

Last night was a late night again…so this morning started with a drag…but I don’t regret staying out until 2:00.  I had dinner with an old friend (I met Bill in line for Almodovar’s TALK TO HER back in 2002) and then met a couple other friends for cocktails.  It was a great night.

This morning started in line like all the other mornings.  I managed to get the tickets I want for Tuesday public screenings (including WILD – the buzz for Reese Witherspoon is quite big), and I was then off to my first P&I screening.

TOUR DE FORCE was first.  It’s a German film about a group of friends getting together for their annual bike ride.  This year, the protagonist has chose Belgium as the destination – much to his friends’ consternation.  Within the first act, it is revealed that he has chosen Belgium because physician assisted suicide is an option there.  He has ALS, and his body is reacting worse and worse each day.  The chemistry of the friends is quite good, and I liked a lot of the film, but I think it lost its way a couple times.  Ultimately, I think there’s a really strong 80 minute film here.  Unfortunately, the 95 minute version isn’t the best.

FACE OF AN ANGEL was my next selection.  It’s the new Michael Winterbottom film that uses the murder of an American student traveling in Italy (the Meredith Kercher case is clearly the inspiration) as the jumping point for the film.  This movie is about a filmmaker who has been offered the chance to write a screenplay and direct the film version of the murder and court proceedings.  As he gets deeper into understanding the dynamics, he decides he’d rather create a film that speaks to the murder but isn’t actually traditional telling of the story.  Daniel Bruhl, who I first fell in love with in GOODBYE, LENIN, plays the director, and Kate Beckinsale plays the journalist who has written extensively about the case.  Sadly, I think the film becomes a self-reflexive jumble – with dream sequences and drug-induced hallucinations that create a frenzy of a film that ultimately doesn’t work.  Though I like that the film makes us question the idea of “truth,” I wasn’t up for all the antics of this story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zbWCcSBva4

I was quite excited to see MISS JULIE – the new Liv Ullmann adaptation of the classic play by Strindberg, starring Jessica Chastain and Collin Farrell.  This is the story of a daughter of a count who is enamored by a well-spoken valet.  What initially seems like flirting becomes a cat and mouse game for control of affections and desire – and certainly an examination of class. The production elements are divine, and Chastain’s performance is absolutely incredible, but I ultimately felt that the adaptation was rather arduous.  There’s something to be said for honoring the text of a classic play, but I think this film needs tightening.

And then I saw the world premiere of  THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING – the story of Stephen Hawking, his relationship with his wife and his battle with ALS.  I love this film! The photography is lovely, the evolving period aspects are perfect, and the performances are out of this world.  I didn’t sense a false note in any moment, and I think numerous awards will follow.  Eddie Redmayne was in attendance and spoke quite eloquently of the process of creating his body movements – which involved doctors and a choreographer.  In addition to all the folks from the film (many of whom participated in the Q&A), there were several stars in attendance for the screening – including Andrew Garfield, Jon Stewart and Julie Taymor.  THE NEON has tentatively put this film on the schedule right around Thanksgiving!  (Look at this photo comparison…I’ve only just seen it, and it makes the film all the more impressive.)

Stephen-Hawking-Jane-Wedding

Thanks again for checking in!

Jonathan

TIFF 2014 – Day #3

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Pride-posterSaturday, Sept. 6, 2014

Hello Again,

THE RIOT CLUB was my first P&I screening of the day.  It’s the new film from Lone Scherfig – director of AN EDUCATION (the “Best Picture” Oscar nominee that made Carey Mulligan a full-fledged star).  This is a film about a “posh” club of young men at Oxford.  They’re a terribly attractive, elite group (the limit for the club is 10) who are  and smart, charismatic, “well-bred,” and quite self righteous.  The movie is about their search for 2 new members and their annual dinner that allows them to indulge in debauchery.  There’s underlying tension during the whole film that truly becomes terrifying in the third act.  Overall, the film is a well done look at class and abuse of privilege.

THE NEW GIRLFRIEND is the new film from one of my favorite filmmakers, Francois Ozon (UNDER THE SAND, 8 WOMEN, SWIMMING POOL, TIME TO LEAVE, IN THE HOUSE).  Ozon, like Woody Allen, has a new film almost every year.  Some are brilliant (see all of the films listed above) and some are not (though even ANGEL, RICKY and HIDEAWAY have their merits).  THE NEW GIRLFRIEND is about a woman who has become depressed after the death of her best friend.  After working through some pain, she summons the courage to visit her friend’s husband only to discover some secrets that will change her life (I don’t want to give away too much.)  This story is based on a novel by Ruth Rendell, and her work has been adapted by other favorite filmmakers like Pedro Almodovar and Claude Chabrol.  Sadly, this film has some major tone issues…but I was intrigued enough to stick around and see what happened.

Sadly, there’s no trailer with subtitles yet, but here’s the French trailer:

PRIDE was my only public screening for the day, and it has already been booked for THE NEON this Fall.  With a stellar cast of British NEON regulars (not to mention thematic elements that interest me), it was a film I had to put on my list.  Just look at this cast: Bill Nighy (BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, NOTES ON A SCANDAL), Imelda Staunton (VERA DRAKE, ANOTHER YEAR), Paddy Considine (IN AMERICA).  The movie, based on a true story, is about a coal miners’ strike in the UK in 1984 – and how a group of gay and lesbian people began collecting money for the cause.  From watching the trailer, I thought I’d be in for a fun, charming ride…but the trailer doesn’t do the film justice.  Instead I got a moving, inspiring, uplifting and heartbreaking film.  There weren’t many dry eyes in the house.  I think this film could go on to win the audience award – as 1000+ people in today’s audience were on their feet cheering for quite a while.  When the curator introduced not only the cast but some of the real life people on whom the film is based, the crowd went wild.  A truly, truly wonderful film!  (Below is a little pic I snapped of the Q&A.)

photo-2

Thanks for checking in,

Jonathan

 

 

TIFF 2014 – Day #2

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Friday, September 5, 2014

Hello Again,

After getting the tickets I desired for Sunday (which include THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING and MISS JULIE – 2 films I can’t wait to see), I scurried to a screening that I ended up leaving after 20 minutes.  I had been up in the air about seeing it, but when it wasn’t working for me, I decided to scurry across the hall and see GEMMA BOVERY – and I’m glad I did.

GEMMA BOVERY is a modern take on the Flaubert novel MADAME BOVARY (which is next on my list) – but actually based upon a graphic novel by Posy Simmonds (known for her FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD update TAMARA DREWE).  The film was directed by Anne Fontaine  (COCO BEFORE CHANEL), and the male protagonist (NEON regulars will recognize Fabrice Luchini from POTICHE and IN THE HOUSE) is a baker who narrates the film and is quite familiar with the Flaubert novel…in fact he interferes and attempts to change the course of actions for the title character Gemma Bovery (which is close to Emma Bovary).  This might all sound a little confusing, but it’s actually quite fun (despite its melancholy shadow).  Luchini is hysterical, and Gemma Arterton (who plays Gemma Bovery) is sexy and delightful.  (I could see Sony Classics, Cohen Media or Music Box films picking up this film for distribution.)

Sadly, I can’t find a trailer with subtitles…below is all I could find.

Next I saw the latest adaptation of MADAME BOVARY. Like ANNA KARENINA and JANE EYRE, MADAME BOVARY has been translated to film numerous times.  This version stars Mia Wasikowska in the title role, and thoughthe production values are sturdy, I ultimately think it fell a bit flat.  That said, I may be hyper-critical…as I do think there’s an audience that will embrace this adaptation.  For me, Emma never really came to life.  We see her rack up debt, we see her bored in her marriage, we see her flinging herself into affairs, but she never had that spark that really made me care.  I was intrigued enough to stay through the end, but I wasn’t moved to tears.  (Though I’m not trying to draw comparisons, I prefer Huppert & Chabrol.)

Sadly, there is no trailer for yet for this film…but here’s a production still.

madame-bovary

GUIDANCE is the feature directorial debut of Pat Mills (he also stars in it).  In 2009, The Dayton LGBT Film Festival played one of Pat’s hysterical short films – PAT’S FIRST KISS, and I got to meet him here at TIFF a couple weeks before our festival.  I’ve kept up with him over the years, and I was happy I could snag a ticket to the world premiere of his first feature.  This film is about an out-of-work, alcohol-dependent, delusional actor who lies on his application and applies for a job as a high school counselor (he figures he can play the part).  The material is wildly inappropriate (the counselor does vodka shots with students to loosen them up), but there are moments of genuine honesty and tenderness.   This combination creates a rather interesting comedy with some wonderful one-liners.  I’m quite proud of Mills for seeing this project through and for his upcoming distribution deal (it has yet to be announced, but it’s gonna happen).

Now I’m off to bed.  I’ll wake again in less than 6 hours to do it all over again.

More soon.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2014 – Day #1

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Mommy-by-xavier-dolan-cannes-posterHello Everyone,

I got back on track rather quickly this morning. After a couple hours of waiting in lines, I still managed to get the tickets I wanted for the next couple days. (Each day, my pass allows me to get 2 tickets for public screenings that occur 2 days later (i.e. on Friday morning, I’ll get 2 tickets for public screenings on Sunday). My pass also allows me to see an unlimited number of screenings that are designated for press & industry.)) After I got my tickets, I went to see a press/industry screening of MOMMY – the Cannes-Award-Winning film from Xavier Dolan.

MOMMY is a film about a volatile teenage boy who has come back home to live with his mother after a stint in a group home. The film’s protagonist – Steve – is a good-looking, foul-mouthed powder keg, and the film is at times truly terrifying.  Dolan’s love of creating music montages (almost music videos within the narrative) is back in full-force with this film.  The film has some very powerful moments and the performances are mostly quite strong – in particular, Dolan favorite Anne Dorval, who plays Steve’s mother.  (Dorval was also in the Dolan films I KILLED MY MOTHER, HEARTBEATS, and LAURENCE ANYWAYS.)  Though I feel the film could still use some trimming (much like I did with LAURENCE ANWAYS), I ultimately think it’s a solid film with some dark Oedipal themes.  The small aspect ratio is also exciting (its such a narrow frame that there’s barely ever room for more than one person in a shot – much like “Mommy’s” life).

After MOMMY, I ran into some folks I know…different people who play a variety of roles in the industry – PR, distribution, press.  It’s fun to just randomly stumble into folks from across the country all in the same place.  I grabbed a bite with a friend from NYC and then I headed to my next P&I screening.

’71 – a period military thriller set in Belfast during a rather scary time – is a tense film with strong performances and great editing.  Though I rarely like films with lots of gun play, I was quickly enamored by the main character.  It’s the story of a British soldier, who during a scuffle with vocal and eventually violent townspeople, is separated from his unit in IRA-controlled territory.  Once his unit discovers that he’s missing, the film becomes a manhunt – both from his fellow soldiers who want to bring him back and from the IRA who want him dead.

For my last screening of the day, I went to the Opening Night Film – THE JUDGE.  This is a film that will open wide (aka – at multiplexes everywhere…not THE NEON).  This was my first time attending Opening Night festivities (Glenn Kiser, a director who visited The Dayton LGBT Film Festival with his short film SABBATICAL, invited me to be his guest).  Director David Dobkin and stars Robert Duvall, Robert Downey Jr., Vera Farmiga, Vincent D’Onofrio and others introduced the film.   It’s the story of a sleek, big city lawyer who returns home to the midWest for the funeral of his mother.  Long-estranged from his father, the trip isn’t meant to last long.  But the revelation that his father has been involved in an accident which resulted in the death of a former defendant has him sticking around to defend his father in court.  For the first 20-30 minutes, I thought I was in for a truly terrible ride…but eventually the film found its sometimes-stable footing and managed to have a few honest, wonderful moments (Duvall was the reason for any of these scenes).  Ultimately, the film is too, too long and full of contrived moments – with lots of terribly underused great actors.

After the film, Glenn and I attended the Opening Night Party.  Hundreds of beautiful, well-dressed people filled the TIFF Bell Lightbox – with music booming, dancers on scaffolding and appetizers and cocktails swirling around the various rooms and levels.  It was fun to people watch for a while, but eventually we left to grab dinner…and I got back to my apartment by 1:30am.  At 6:10am, my alarm will go off and I’ll be running out the door by 6:30.

More tomorrow!

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF (The Toronto International Film Festival) Starts Today!

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TIFF_logo_rgbHello Everyone.

Jonathan from THE NEON here.  After a rather hideous day of travel (including an unexpected, long stop in Chicago due to passport issues (my own fault)), I finally made it to Toronto.  As of right now, I’m about a 1/2 day behind.  It’s 7:30am, and I’m usually in line for tickets.  That said, I don’t yet have my credentials (which is why I wanted to arrive yesterday afternoon)…so I have to wait for a different office to open at 9am (I’m first in line – as I’m determined to get back on track as soon as possible).

Having only briefly looked at the catalog on-line, I still don’t have a complete sense of what I want to see (I need both an actual catalog in my hands as well as to hear the buzz about what’s hot to truly know what’s happening).  I have a list of about 15 films that I “Must” see…but what will fill the other 15-20 spots has yet to be determined.  My list includes THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING about Stephen Hawking, Ozon’s new film NEW GIRLFRIEND, Xavier Dolan’s film MOMMY, the new film from the Dardenne Brothers – TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT, and the adaptation of the play MISS JULIE.  Here are a couple trailers to hold you over:

Tomorrow morning, you’ll be able to check in and read about what I get to see today.  One thing is for sure, I have a ticket to the opening night film tonight.  A previous guest of The Dayton LGBT Film Festival – Glenn Kiser – invited me to be his guest this evening.  I’m excited to finally attend an Opening Night film…as well as to see Glenn again.

More soon,

Jonathan

AUSTENLAND Opens at THE NEON + New Event News!

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austenland_xlgHello Everyone,

I’m back from Toronto, and I had a wonderful time. The film culture in Toronto – especially with the addition of the TIFF Bell Lightbox and their year-round programming – is phenomenal. In all, I saw 32 films at this year’s festival (out of 300+ options), and I met some great people. Now it’s back to focusing on Dayton’s film culture! There are some fun announcements below.

This Friday, we will open a new romantic comedy based on the popular novel – AUSTENLAND. On our other screen, we will hold BLUE JASMINE and BLACKFISH for one more week…in addition to an encore screening of The Big Lens Film Festival. For remaining showtimes for this week, visit our official site at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for AUSTENLAND: “Jane Hayes is obsessed with all things Jane Austen. But when she decides to spend her life savings on a trip to a resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane’s fantasies of meeting the perfect gentleman suddenly become more complicated than she ever could have imagined.” (taken from Sony Pictures Classics) Click HERE to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbHr8YyjSlg’]

Due to the previous SOLD-OUT screenings, WSU’s Annual Big Lens Film Festival is returning to THE NEON for one more night. “The 21st Annual Big Lens Film Festival will play Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 at the THE NEON…Every year, Big Lens screens a selection of the very best short films to come from the Wright State University Motion Picture program, and this year is no different! Ranging from documentary to narrative, these six films cover a wide variety of subjects and emotions. Tickets, just $7 each, are now available at THE NEON. Some films may contain adult content.” (taken from Big Lens press release)

And speaking of film festivals, THE DAYTON LGBT FILM FESTIVAL is heading into its 8th year. The dates are set for October 11-13, and the line-up is fantastic. The committee has been working on this year’s festival since April, and we’re currently in the process of securing guest artists (and getting the website 100% ready). The official site should be ready by the end of the week, but you can visit our Facebook Page to get a glimpse of what’s happening. At the very least, be sure to check out the trailer for REACHING FOR THE MOON – it’s certainly NEON-hit material.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27YqB_UZ9u8′]

Thanks for your continued support!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri, Sept. 20 – Thurs, Sept. 26:

BLUE JASMINE (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 5:10, 7:20
Monday: 3:10, 7:40
Tuesday: 3:10
Wednesday & Thursday: 3:10, 7:40

BLACKFISH (PG-13) 1 Hr 23 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:10, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

AUSTENLAND (PG-13) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

THE BIG LENS FILM FESTIVAL (NR)
Tuesday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
Sept. 27 – SALINGER
TBD – THE HUNT
Oct. 4 – ENOUGH SAID
Oct. 11 – THE PATIENCE STONE
Oct. 18 – INEQUALITY FOR ALL
Oct. 25 – WADJDA
Nov. 22- KILL YOUR DARLINGS
Nov. 22 –DALLAS BUYERS CLUB
TBD – CUTIE AND THE BOXER

Toronto – Day #9+ – 2013

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Dear Readers,

I’m back in Dayton.  Yesterday evening and this morning were a whirlwind, so I didn’t have time to type this review until just now…sitting in the comfort of my living room.  Yesterday morning was taken leisurely, and I eventually saw 2 films in the afternoon and evening…then I went out for some cocktails.  Upon waking up this morning, I decided to fit in one more film before scurrying to the airport at Noon.  Thus this update includes films I screened on Friday and this morning.

EASTERN BOYS is a film about a French man who hires a male prostitute only to have his entire life uprooted by an entire gang of Eastern European hustlers.  It’s a scary film with long takes that forces us to deal with the situations, and it eventually makes way for a sort of love story that changes course.  There are moments in this film when my heart was beating so fast that I found myself holding my breath.   The film is sexually frank, and the lead hustler is both sexy and terrifying.  Though there are moments when we don’t understand a character’s motivations (like not immediately calling the police…though I’m guessing shame played a role), I ultimately really liked this film.

easternboys_02

ROCK THE CASBAH is a beautifully directed film about the gathering of a family for an important funeral.  Set in Morocco, this film is both funning and touching…and it’s full of amazing performances by a couple women I love – Hiam Abass and Nadine Labaki.  The film is narrated by the ghost of the recently deceased, played by Omar Sharif, and the film tackles some important issues – one being the role of women in Moroccan society.  Directed by Laila Marrakchi, this is a really solid crowd-pleaser by a woman who is shaking things up. (Abass, Marrakchi, and actress Morjana Alaoui came out for a Q&A after the screening.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Oy9qKsCig’]

A PROMISE was my last film of the festival.  Unfortunately not the best.  From veteran director Patrice Leconte, directing for the first time in English, this film is based on the novel JOURNEY INTO THE PAST by Stefan Zweig.  The story follows a love triangle about an ailing steel factory owner (Alan Rickman), his young wife (the lovely Rebecca Hall), and the factory owner’s assistant (the adorable, but new to me, Richard Madden – I’ve never seen GAME OF THRONES).  The costumes and sets are lovely, but the story is relatively bland with some clunky dialog and there’s some questionable camerawork (some camera moves actually made me angry).  There’s an audience for this film…but it just didn’t cut it for me.

une promesse

So here I am.  Back at home and just beginning to think of all the films I saw.  32 in fact!!  It seems like weeks ago that I was heading into CLOSED CURTAIN.  In 9 days, I’ve been to far off lands, outer space, and familiar territory.  I’ve seen a couple masterpieces, and I walked out on a couple stinkers.  TIFF is always a highlight of my year, and I appreciate your interest in reading my thoughts.

All the best.

I hope to see you soon at THE NEON!

Jonathan

Toronto – Day #8 – 2013

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My time in Toronto is wrapping up.  I’ll screen a couple films today and perhaps 1 film early tomorrow before I head to the airport.  It’s been a blast so far, but I am starting to drag.

The first film I saw yesterday was IGNACI M. – a Spanish documentary about an artist.  Brought up in a home with a mother and father who were also artists, this is an exploration of his relationships with his parents, children, and others in the community.  Ignaci is a colorful, gay, HIV+ man who takes 29 pills every day (the opening of the film has him explaining each pill – which is funny and heartbreaking all at once) and is willing to speak frankly with anyone.  Though I found this piece interesting, some of the interviews go on way too long.  I felt as though the editor was stretching this film to make it a feature – whereas it would make a much stronger 30-40 minute portrait. (The cheesy photoshoot moments didn’t help matters.)

1682

THE RAILWAY MAN, based on a memoir by Eric Lomax, is the story of a man who is dealing with the demons of having been tortured while a prisoner of the Japanese troops in Thailand.  Starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman (among many other great performances in the flashback scenes), this film has lush visuals and strong performances.  Lomax, in real life, died just last year…and the director of the film told the audience “Lomax loved that Colin Firth was playing him…his wife Patti was at the festival earlier in the week…she loved being here with her best friend Nicole.”  This film is well done, and it will appeal to people who love historical, war dramas – like THE EMPEROR from earlier this year.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksrkKXoEJbM’]

SALVATION ARMY is a quiet, directorial debut for Abdellah Taia – based on his own semi-autobiographical novel.  This is the story of a young Moroccan boy who is discovering his sexuality and social codes in Casablanca.  Told in two parts, we see his upbringing and familial relations…then we see him off to study in Geneva – where more political and social obstacles lay in wait.  With very little dialog and told in a very matter-of-fact style, this film is certainly not for everyone…but I liked it quite a bit.  (Below is just a clip – a trailer doesn’t exist yet.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_CB0aVpKsw’]

And off I go to start my day.

Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #7 – 2013

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I saw 4 films yesterday…among them was one big, special effects movie.  I rarely go for the huge, Hollywood titles while in Toronto, but I decided that because Alfonso Cuaron directed GRAVITY, I’d give it a go…but let’s start at the beginning of the day.

First off, I saw MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS – a Swiss film (in English and French) based on the book MARY STUART.  Though I certainly appreciated elements of this film, there were also numerous elements that made me cringe.  The score was often overbearing, and a few devices (the narration at the beginning and end, the over-use of puppets) fell flat.  The costumes and sets were marvelous, but overall, it didn’t work for me.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpHckcAsES8′]

WE ARE THE BEST! is the new film by Lukas Moodysson.  Set in 1982 Stockholm, the movie is about 3 13-year old girls who start a punk band.  It’s a sweet portrait of rebellion and bonding, and the performances and situations are really wonderful.  That said, it’s not a film I’d revisit…there’s just something missing.  It’s good…just not great.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfPytPjV1xc’]

GERONTOPHILIA is a film by Canadian filmmaker Bruce LaBruce.  This is a movie about a young man who realizes he is infatuated and turned on by senior-aged men…so he gets a job at a nursing home where he forms a special relationship with one of the residents.  Whereas I think this film might have some interesting things to say about age and aging, I felt that the shifts in tone (some of it feels like a farce, other parts seem very serious) made me less interested.  Though some parts were genuinely funny…and some parts were genuinely touching…ultimately I’m not a fan.  (Below is just a clip from the film…no trailer yet.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP7Dg1fvEm0′]

Lastly, I saw GRAVITY in IMAX 3-D.  Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, I think this is biggest small film ever to come out of Hollywood.  Set in space, there are only 3 on-screen characters (and 1 dies almost immediately – so it’s mostly Bullock and Clooney).  After an accident (debris from a Russian satellite), an astronaut and a medical engineer are forced to figure out a way to survive .  This film is simple and scary.  And though there are a couple moments of on-the-nose monologue material (which kinda ruined the moment for me), I ultimately really enjoyed it.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTiKOy59o4′]

Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #6 – 2013

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Today is my last day of needing to wait in line for early-morning tickets…thus my last day of waking up at 6:00am.  How refreshing!

In addition to seeing 3 films yesterday, I got to hang out with a dear friend, Bill Taylor, who I met in line at a screening of TALK TO HER (one of my favorite Almodovar films) back in 2002 (my first year at TIFF).  Bill just completed his first feature film (which I will soon get a chance to see), and we have played 2 of his short films at the Dayton LGBT Film Festival over the years.  It was great to catch up.

VIOLETTE was the first film of the day, and it made me want to go out and pick up a bundle of books.  This is a film about Violette Leduc and how she became a well-known author.  A large portion of the film focuses on her relationship with Simone de Beauvoir, and several other renowned French authors work their way into the narrative.  The film is gorgeously directed by Martin Provost – director of SERAPHINE (if you haven’t seen this film, I highly recommend it – available via netflix, etc.), and it’s a wonderful story of self-discovery through writing.

violette_05

IDA, perhaps the most visually stunning film I’ve seen this year, is a lovely, quiet film (shot in black & white in a 1:37 aspect ratio (which means it appears more like a square than a rectangle)).  A young Catholic girl – about to take her vows as a nun – goes into the city to meet her aunt for the first time.  During the trip, she discovers her true roots and the life she had before being brought to the convent.  I loved this film.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRzbCZtiWYc’]

TOM AT THE FARM is the new film by Xavier Dolan.  Based on a play, this is the first time Dolan has directed material that was in-part written by someone else…and it works.  I felt that Dolan’s last film suffered from its length – this one feels just right.  Tom visits the family of his recently deceased lover, and the mother didn’t know of her son’s homosexuality.  Very different in tone from Dolan’s first three films, this is a psychological thriller that becomes rather creepy.  Though I questioned a couple script choices, I ultimately really liked this film.  (The clip below doesn’t do the film justice…but at least you’ll get a small glance.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8bq-MGazn0′]

Thanks for reading!  Off to more screenings!

Toronto – Day #5 – 2013

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Hello!

Yesterday ended up being not as productive as I had planned. I only saw 3 films in their entirety…and the festival is officially starting to wear me out.  The early morning line-up is dwindling.  Some industry folks have already left town, and some of this drop-off is due merely to communal exhaustion.

First off, I saw a film called BELLE – a Fox Searchlight film (which means we’ll more than likely play it…but it won’t come out until next Spring)  set in 18-century Britain about a mixed-race woman who is accepted by her affluent father and is brought up in high class society.  Though not given all the same treatment due to her skin color and the fact that she is “illegitimate,” she is given a good education and is rather free-spirited.  After asking lots of questions and meeting an idealistic son of the town vicar, she becomes instrumental in ending slavery in England.  This film is beautifully shot and will be a crowd-pleaser – on par with films like YOUNG VICTORIA and THE DUCHESS.

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THE INVISIBLE WOMAN is based on the true story of Charles Dickens and his secret relationship with a younger woman.  Directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes, this is a lovely, intelligent film about a strong-willed woman facing her past.  The lead character is played with a rich, layered performance by Felicity Jones (she had a small part in the under-appreciated HYSTERIA), and Sony Classics is positioning this film for a limited Christmas release – which makes it clear that they will push for some Oscar attention.  The art direction, the costumes, and the performances are all lovely, and though the pacing is slow, lovers of mid-career Merchant Ivory films (like THE BOSTONIANS and MAURICE) will be delighted.  Fiennes and Jones were present for a Q&A after the screening.

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UNDER THE SKIN is the new, highly anticipated film by Jonathan Glazer – director of SEXY BEAST and BIRTH.  (It’s been a decade since his last film.)  Each of his films is distinctly different, and UNDER THE SKIN is partially experimental in form.  The movie is about a young woman who stalks the streets of Scotland – looking for single, unattached men.  The film is sexually charged and absolutely captivating.  There’s very little dialog in this film, but the images and score create poetry.  A lot more could be added in describing the plot to this film, but as the catalog states, “it’s best to allow UNDER THE SKIN to reveal itself.”  Lead actress Scarlett Johansson and director Jonathan Glazer were in attendance for an insightful Q&A.  I can’t remember the last time I saw such an abstract film with over 1500 people…it was a nice feeling…but it won’t be appreciated by the masses.  (That said, there will certainly be a cult-like following for this film.)  Watch the teaser to get a small sense of tone for this film.

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More soon!

Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #4 – 2013

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Hello!

Yesterday was another epic day.  After seeing 5 films, I still managed to meet up with a couple friends for drinks…a nap is certainly in store at some point today.  One person I met up with is a Dayton native (a former Neon regular and Stivers grad) – Rachel Allen.  She now lives in Brooklyn and works for a PR firm in NYC…and she’s in Toronto working with a handful of films at the festival.  It was great to see her, and I was delighted to hear of her recent successes.

The first film I saw in the morning was THE F WORD – a romantic comedy starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan.  This charming film is full of fast, witty dialog (and sadly way too many poop-obsessed jokes), and it doesn’t try to be anything beyond a sweet film targeted at young adults.  The story centers on 2 young people who meet at a party.  The young girl, delightfully played by Kazan, is an animator who is in a relationship.  The young guy, played by Radcliffe (he has 3 films at TIFF this year), is still getting over a broken heart (the opening scene has him finally deleting a year-old voicemail from his ex-girlfriend).  The 2, upon meeting, have great chemistry…but they determine that they can only be friends.  Thogh predictable and at times a bit too screwball for my taste, this film ultimately works.

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DALLAS BUYERS CLUB was the 2nd film of the festival that I really loved.  Based on a true story, this is a film about a man in the 1980’s who is diagnosed with HIV.  Frustrated by the lack of FDA-approved drugs, he sets out to smuggle non-approved treatments into the US.  Matthew McConaughey plays the main character, and his performance is mind-blowing.  That said, Jarred Leto – who plays a trans character – is also out of this world.  With lots of interesting choices (great sound design and an urgency that makes the film not seem like a period piece), this will go down as one of the best films of the year…stay tuned for lots of award season recognition.

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Next up was a romantic, modern musical by John Carney (director of ONCE) – CAN A SONG SAVE YOUR LIFE?  Starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, this film is full of great music and good performances.  It’s the story of two broken people who begin working together to produce an album of fresh, new music.  I’ve heard many people raving about this film.  Though I liked it, I didn’t think it was amazing.  There are some magical moments, but I didn’t buy into the film entirely.  (There’s a scene where Ruffalo imagines orchestrations over Knightley’s simple, guitar-accompanied performance…and I found it terribly cheesy.)  There will certainly be an audience for this film, but I don’t think the results are as successful as ONCE.

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PHILOMENA, the new Judi Dench film by Stephen Frears, is absolutely wonderful. This is the story of a relationship between a journalist and an aging woman.  Philomena gave birth to a boy in a convent when she was 14, and the nuns found a home for him when he was an toddler.  After years of feeling guilty for her sins of the flesh (the nuns were successful at shaming her for decades), a journalist takes interest in Philomena’s attempt to locate her son.  The story is ultimately a mystery, but it’s so much more.  The script is absolutely terrific, and the performances are rich and layered.  This film is 100% NEON material!  Without harping, the film has very interesting things to say at the Catholic Church, contemporary journalism and the Republican Party.

LE WEEK-END – a new film about a retirement-aged, British couple during a weekend is Paris – is clearly inspired by (and even references) films of the French New Wave.  Though there are several great scenes in this film, and the performances of Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan are terrific, I had a hard time connecting.  Duncan’s hot/cold character changes moods on a dime, and I ultimately found her so frustrating that I found it difficult to care about anybody.  Though I was ultimately moved by the film, I didn’t love it overall.  Directed by Roger Michell (NOTTING HILL, THE MOTHER, VENUS, HYDE PARK ON HUDSON), I don’t see a lot of commercial success with this title.

I’m about to head into a screening of BELLE…then 3 other films today.

Thanks for reading!  More tomorrow!

Toronto – Day #3 – 2013

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Hello!

Well…I’m really exhausted this morning…but it’s my own fault.  I was simply having too much fun last night, and I didn’t get to bed until about 2:00.  I then got up at 6:00am and darted out the door to land in this line by 6:50.  The Fox Searchlight Party was last night, and it was a winner. The cocktails were good, the food was exceptional (though I couldn’t bring myself to sample everything), and the mingling was perfect.  The party was celebrating 4 films that the distributor will release this year – BELLE, DOM HEMINGWAY, ENOUGH SAID, and 12 YEARS A SLAVE.  I met and chatted with several folks, and the party was full of industry folks including numerous stars (like Michael Fassbender, Alfre Woodard, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Paul Giamatti, Tom Felton, Sarah Paulson and more).

And now the films from yesterday.  I saw three.

First off was HATESHIP LOVESHIP – a film by Liza Johnson starring Kristen Wiig and Guy Pearce.  This film has a Dayton connection…the production design (done very well!) was by Hannah Beachler – graduate of WSU’s Motion Picture Program.  The story is about a socially awkward woman – Johanna –  who is hired to take care of a teenage girl with a mother who has died and somewhat absent father (the girl lives with her grandfather – played by Nick Nolte).  Upon receiving a note from the girl’s father, Johanna responds with a letter that is ultimately hijacked by the girl and her friend.  They devise a scheme where they respond to Johanna via e-mail and make her think that the father has developed a crush and is ultimately falling in love.  It’s a cruel, teenage prank, and Johanna goes headfirst into the “relationship.” Though not without some wonderful moments, I didn’t love this film.  I felt that it had some tone issues and had a few moments that I just didn’t buy.  It’s nice to see Wiig do some serious material, but it was a bit of a challenge to hear her deliver some monotone, unaffected delivery and not be swept back to former SNL characters.

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12 YEARS A SLAVE – I finally saw a really amazing film…one that will clearly be nominated for Best Picture along with numerous acting nominations.  This new film by Steve McQueen (director of HUNGER and SHAME) is a masterpiece – based on the memoir by Solomon Northup.  Northup was a free African American who was kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery.  The film is harrowing and beautifully done, and the performances are rich and complex.  After the screening, a Q&A with McQueen and several actors provided some eloquent insight into the production.  Upon talking about the films of McQueen, Michael Fassbender said something that sums up the challenging material that McQueen often addresses, “As an audience member, you have to contribute.  It’s not a passive experience.”  Those are the films I love.  I don’t want to be spoon fed, and McQueen always presents material that requires some work and introspection.  One issue that I don’t think too many people want to talk  about is the use of the Bible in the film.  Slave owners often refer to it – justifying their rights by the Biblical text.  This is not unlike people who continue to use the Bible to promote their hate-filled agendas today.  Without making it a focus, I think McQueen wants us to consider how we approach this book.

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THERESE was the last film I saw yesterday.  Based on the novel THERESE RAQUIN by Emile Zola, this film stars Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Felton, and Jessica Lang – who were all present for a Q&A following the film – along with director Charlie Stratton.  This period story (which ultimately became the basis for THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE), is about a sexually repressed young woman who must marry a sickly cousin.  Upon meeting an old family friend, she has a sexual awakening and yearns to be set free from the confines of her current surroundings.  This film is a bit clunky, but the production values are lovely and the performances are solid.  The director mentioned one thing that attracted him to the story – it’s rare to go into a film where you change who you’re rooting for several times.  I think that’s rather interesting…and I need to think about it.

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A few of you asked which film I walked out of yesterday.  You’ll have to ask me in person…as I don’t reveal the titles of films that I don’t watch in their entirety.

More soon!  Thanks for reading!

Toronto – Day #2 – 2013

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Hello Everyone.

On my second day, I set out to see 4 films…but I really only saw 3.  I sat down for my first film, and I simply couldn’t take it.  After 5 minutes, I thought I might leave.  After 10 minutes, I couldn’t stand it…but I thought I needed to give it more time.  After 30 minutes, I simply couldn’t tolerate seeing one of my favorite actresses in such a terrible film.  So I left.

A couple hours later, I made my way to LABOR DAY – the new film by Jason Reitman starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin.  This is the story of a mother and son who live alone in  a small town in the late 1980’s.  Winslet’s character is extremely lonely and depressed, and her son (a nice performance by Gattlin Griffith) tries to keep her afloat.  An escaped convict works his way into their home, and rather unlikely relationships ensue – new lover for mom and a father figure for her son.  The movie is shot beautifully, and the performances are really wonderful – Winslet’s melancholy is palpable.  I really loved a lot about this film, but it sadly has a few big annoyances…a couple bad situations and a couple moments of laugh-out-loud bad screenwriting.  A slight recut could fix a lot…but I don’t think that will happen before its release.

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Next up was the world premiere of the first animated feature by Chomet (director of THE TRIPLETS OF BELLVILLE) – ATTILA MARCEL.  As a big fan of PARIS JE T’AIME, I was already familiar with the fact that he can direct live material with great success – he did the short about the little boy with mime parents.  This film is highly stylized with lots of charm and a lot of great music.  It’s the story of a mute piano player who is raised by his overbearing aunts.  After meeting an herbalist who lives on a secret floor in his building, he begins to explore hidden memories of his deceased parents.  Though a bit clunky (a couple devises just don’t work) and a bit long, it’s got enough magic to keep you invested…and you’ll root for the protagonist all the way through. (Sorry…there’s no trailer with subtitles.)

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My last film of the day was BAD HAIR from Venezuela.  This is the story of a curly-haired boy who lives in the projects with his mother and her newborn.  It’s a gritty existence – surrounded by gunfire, violence and rough terrain.  More than anything in the world, the little boy wants straight hair so he can be “like a singer.”  The mother fears that her son is gay, and her lack of education and fear for his well-being makes her take strides to eventually “heal” her son.  This is a grim film – but not without moments of sheer joy.  The performances are incredible from everyone, and the material is transportive.  Though I wish the film had been 10-15 minutes shorter (not a whole lot happens…it would be stronger if it was tighter), I think it’s my favorite film of the festival so far (it brings to mind two other films – the great performances of childhood in TOMBOY and the gritty style of FISH TANK).

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After screening 3 films, I met up with Glenn Kiser – director of SABBATICAL (which won the Audience Award at last year’s Dayton LGBT Film Festival).  We had a great time catching up, and he mentioned that Dayton was one of his favorite festival experiences during his travels with SABBATICAL.  I don’t think he was just feeing me a line – he mentioned the great sense of community, the friends he made, and his overall experience.  I think we can be proud of that!

I’m currently in line for tickets…then off to 3 films today and a big party tonight.  More soon. Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

Toronto – Day #1 (5 Films)

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Hello!

Today was one of those packed days…and I’m thinking I might finish typing this while in line tomorrow morning (so I can get at least 5 hours of sleep).

I saw 5 films on Day #1.

First off was an Iranian film called CLOSED CURTAIN by Jafar Panahi & Kambuzia Partovi.  This is a film about a man who goes into hiding with his dog – residing in a “friend’s house” where he blacks out all the windows and fears any sounds of people outside.  A strange woman finds her way into the house, and tensions mount.  About half way into the film, the story reveals itself.  Not everything is as it seems…for this is a story being written/imagined by a director.  This is a film about inspiration and character development…and how one creates under certain constraits.  Not knowing Panahi’s story (of being under house arrest in Iran) could make this film a little more difficult to initially understand…though I eventually found the cinematic riddles/metaphors to be a little obtuse and tedious.  (There’s a side story about how dogs are not allowed to be seen in public…and the dog in this movie steals every scene.)

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(CONTINUED at 7:00am Friday morning)

Francois Ozon’s latest film – YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL – is a sexually charged film about a girl losing her virginity over the summer…and how she eventually is drawn into the power-play of sexuality.  At 17, while still in high school and living at home, she begins leading a double life of a prostitute.  She uses on-line pornography as tutorials, and she steals her mother’s clothes to look more sophisticated.  Told over the course of 4 seasons, this film has a couple clunky moments and on-the-nose song choices (and a little too overscored – though I do love the score).  It even visually references BELLE DE JOUR – which is clearly loved by Ozon.  Overall, I rather liked the sexual politics of the film…and I loved the ending.  (Last year, I saw Ozon’s last film  – IN THE HOUSE…it ended up being one of my favorites.)

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ABUSE OF WEAKNESS is Catherine Breillat’s latest film – based loosely on her personal story of dealing with the aftermath of a stroke and being swindled by a man who she came to admire (who was supposed to star in her next film).  This film stars Isabelle Huppert, and she is out of this world!  The control of her body and speech are unbelievable!  Though a bit too long and sometimes a bit frustrating (though I’m guessing that might be the point…as dealing with an illness and its physical challenges can be much the same).  The psychology of what makes people do things that seem out of character is a driving force of this film, and it’s worth seeing just for Huppert’s incredible performance.

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KILL YOUR DARLINGS stars Daniel Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg – which should seal the deal to mainstream America that Radcliffe can do a lot more than play a boy wizard (many already knew this given EQUUS and other examples).  Though produced by Killer Films (known for a variety of indie gems over the years – BOYS DON’T CRY, FAR FROM HEAVEN, and many many more), this film seemed more “Hollywood” than anything I saw on Day #1.  This is due mostly to its simplistic script.  The visual style is rather nice, and most of the performances are really quite good, but it seemed a little too easy and I found myself rolling my eyes a lot – especially in the first 20 minutes (and the use of some contemporary music killed a few moments instead of making them relatable).  Overall, I came away liking several things about the film – but it’s far from being a masterpiece.  (Part biopic, part thriller!…you didn’t see that coming, did you?  Without the opening scene set in prison, you wouldn’t really guess the film was heading that direction.)

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ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE was my final film of the day.  Jim Jarmusch’s vampire movie isn’t what many might suspect.  It’s not at all a horror film!  This is a love story about 2 sophisticated  people who have lived for hundreds of years.  Told in a bit of a hallucinogenic haze, this film is actually full of humorous moments and thoughtful insights to today’s world.  (Tom Hiddleston’s character – who plays opposite Tilda Swinton – is contemplating suicide…due mostly to being so disenchanted with the monstrous actions of today’s human beings – who he refers to as “zombies”).  Told in a languid, poetic fashion, this is a character driven film with lots of long, slowly moving scenes with beautiful music and photography.  Some might find the film boring (especially if they’re looking for a traditional genre film), but I thought it was rather lovely.  Tilda was NOT there!  Though disappointing, it was nice to see and hear Jarmusch and Hiddleston discuss the film (I didn’t previously know who Hiddleston was…but fans were shrieking with delight when he emerged from his car).  Mia Wasikowska was also in attendance.  She had little to say.

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3 Films today.  Maybe 4!

More later!  Thanks for reading!

Toronto International Film Fest – I Made It To Town!

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Hello Friends of THE NEON!

I made it to Toronto.  With very little sleep, I ran right to registration and picked up my pass and catalog…which I looked at very quickly and made my first picks.  The Toronto International Film Festival (which I’ll refer to now as TIFF) officially begins tomorrow night.  That said, industry screenings begin tomorrow morning.  Each day, my pass allows me to see 2 public screenings and numerous industry screenings.  (The public screenings are more fun…they’re filled with film lovers…and the filmmakers and stars often attend those screenings.)  Only a handful of tickets for those public screenings are put aside for people who have passes like mine…and we can only collect them 48 hours in advance.  This means that I’ll be up every morning at 6:00 so I can leave my apartment and get in line by 7:00.  At 8:00, I’ll hopefully be one of the first people in line so I can get the tickets I want….then I’m off to screenings for the rest of the day.

Each day, I’ll see 3, 4 or sometimes even 5 films (that’s a rarity, though…my eyes can only handle so much).

I just returned from grabbing a beer and plotting my next few days.  I picked up some local publications and started to assess the buzz about any films that I might need to see, and my initial plan of attack is in place.  With over 300 films to chose from, the scheduling can become madness…and I love it.

Thanks for checking in with my blog.  One film I’ll be seeing tomorrow (Thursday night) is Jim Jarmusch’s new vampire film (not a genre I really like…but my favorite actress is the star – TILDA SWINTON).  Tune in again (and each day thereafter) to read about each of the films I’m seeing (and each of the stars I see flitting around).

More soon,

Jonathan

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